The Prevalence Of Gestational Diabetes

Along with all the worries and complications a woman might face while pregnant, one of the more serious conditions is gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs in 4% of all pregnancies (Seibel, 2009). Many women are not informed about the disease, some may not know that they need to be tested, and others may have heard about it, but want more information on what may cause it and/or how to prevent and treat it. Either way this disease needs to be taken seriously by every pregnant woman or woman planning to get pregnant to protect not only herself but the unborn child.

Most pregnancies progress with the mother being healthy, however in some cases problems do arise with the mother developing complications. This can in the form of gestational diabetes. Mothers who didn’t have diabetes prior to pregnancy exhibit high blood sugar levels, in most cases this is during the later stages of pregnancy, this could lead to pre-eclampsia and babies could be born with higher birth weights. If left unchecked mothers can develop type 2 diabetes post pregnancy.

Amanda manages her gestational diabetes with diet. She experiences a few episodes of postprandial hyperglycemia, but does not have to go on insulin. At her 36-week

4). There are two major types of diabetes mellitus, type 1 and type 2, and gestational diabetes is a third type that could occur during pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the more common of the three types, attributing tor around 95 percent of new cases of diabetes (Prezbindowski & Porth, 2005 pg. 1309 para. 1). Diabetes mellitus is caused by one’s body having trouble breaking down foods they eat to convert to energy due to an inefficient supply of insulin or an inability to use insulin effectively. The source of the problem derives from beta cells located in the pancreas. These cells are special for their production of insulin and response to it. If there is a problem with the beta cells in the pancreas, then their inefficient supply and absorption of insulin results to an increased amount of glucose in the blood stream that cannot be absorbed sufficiently which leads to a diabetic condition. If one may suspect diabetes mellitus as a health condition they are experiencing, there are common signs and symptoms that are associated with the disease.

Gestational diabetes, which is much less common, only occurs during pregnancy and is caused by a resistance to the actions of insulin brought on by the hormones a woman’s body releases during pregnancy (WHO 2011, p. 2). Once diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus you are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life (Zimmet & Magliano 2011). For this reason it is particularly important to use preventative measures and consistent health checks.

“Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that is characterized by chronic hypoglycemia” (ATI 2011). There are three classifications of Diabetes; Type One is classified as "juvenile-onset" or "insulin-dependent" diabetes. This type of diabetes does is where the immune system destroys cells that release insulin, eliminating the production of insulin in the body. Without insulin, cells can 't absorb the sugar in the body; sugars are used to make energy by the body. Secondly, Type Two diabetes is classified as "adult-onset" or "non-insulin dependent diabetes. This type of diabetes can develop at any age, and is usually based on lifestyle choices. In Type Two, the body isn’t able to make use of the insulin that is currently being produced, which is classified as resistance of insulin. As this disease progresses, the pancreas will produce less insulin, causing a deficiency. Thirdly, Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnancy. It is situational diabetes when the development of the fetus blocks the production of insulin by the pancreas.

It is defined as an increase in blood glucose levels diagnosed during the pregnancy and induced by the pregnancy. The hormones secreted by the placenta lead to the development of an insulin resistant state which is more pronounced during the last three months of the pregnancy. If uncontrolled, it can lead to abnormalities and complications in both the mother and the baby. It can lead to malformation of the heart/kidneys of the baby, low birth weight or even a large baby

RESEARCH ARTICLE: Rowan J., Gao W., Battin M., & Moore M. (2008). Metformin Vs. Insulin for the Treatment of Gestational Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine. 358(19):2003-2015.

Are a woman who is pregnant and has diabetes or a temporary form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy (gestational diabetes mellitus).

Jardine-Brown et al, 1996, highlight many areas of substandard care and indicate the lack of specialist maternity services for the diabetic woman with resultant increases in poor pregnancy outcome. Even though improvements in care for the pregnant diabetic woman have been made over the last decade, the statistics provided by the NSF (2001) and CEMACH (2002-03) suggest insufficiency. In the search for safety and a reduction in mortality/morbidity rates, the professional must use the best available evidence for care decisions (Page, 2000).

Kansas City is a very diverse place where there are many cultures who live in the melting pot of the city. With different cultures comes different lifestyles that affects a person’s overall health. It so happens to be that obesity, unhealthy eating, and not enough physical exercise has led to a substantial increase in diabetes, making it the number seventh leading cause of death (American Diabetes Association, 2014, p. Diabetes Basics). Diabetes also called diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood (Google, What is Diabetes). There is three type of diabetes, Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Type 1 is mostly seen in juvenile, where they become insulin dependent because the body immune system attacks the pancreas (Diabetes Research Institute, 2014, p. What is Type 1 Diabetes?). Type 2, which account for 90% of cases is seen in those who are obese, who have a family history, who are older and have unhealthy eating lifestyles, is when the body doesn 't know how to use the energy efficiently to process sugar Google, What is Diabetes; Center for Disease Control, p.2). Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy when there is higher levels of sugar and normally goes away afterwards. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, p.2). We will briefly explore the epidemiology surrounding diabetes, how it’s impacting the metro area as well as its effects on the body.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an intolerance of glucose documented for the first time during pregnancy. It is usually a short-term type of diabetes and the most common health problem with pregnant women. GBM is caused by the way the hormones in pregnancy affect the mother. GDM accounts for 5-7% of all pregnancies (American Diabetes Association, 2010). During pregnancy the placenta develops and becomes the main bond between the mother and the baby. It is used to make sure the baby has and gets enough nutrients. The placenta makes several hormones which make it hard for insulin to control blood glucose and block the action of the mother’s insulin in her body (American Diabetes Association, 2010). Hormonal changes during the

Gestational Diabetes During pregnancy usually around the 24th week many women develop gestational diabetes. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have diabetes after giving birth, but it’s important to follow your doctor’s

According to American Diabetes Association (2004), GDM is usually diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks (p. S88). GDM affects approximately seven percent of all pregnancies (p. S88). If GDM is left untreated, it can cause adverse effect on the mother and the child. American Diabetes Association (2004) also illustrated that maternal and perinatal morbidities are linked to the untreated GDM (p. S88). Although gestational diabetes disappears after birth, women with GDM are at increased risk for developing diabetes later in life. As mentioned by National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2006), babies of untreated mothers with GDM can suffer from macrosomia, hypoglycemia, jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome and low

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and caused by insulin resistance in the body. Risk factors of GDM include maternal age, ethnicity, family history, BMI, and deficiency of vitamin D. To be diagnosed with GDM, a woman must go through two screenings tests called the glucose challenge test and glucose tolerance test with high blood glucose results. Proper management such as a healthy diet, physical activity, and medications are needed to prevent complications for the mom and newborn. Complications include fetal macrosomia, preterm labor, hypoglycemia, and a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the future. It is exceptionally necessary for healthcare professionals to educate their patients to prevent an increase in the number of cases of GDM and to further prepare the patients on what to expect if they are diagnosed with GDM in the future and to avoid any negative emotions.